Norris laughs off after F-bomb during FIA Gala: 'I got fined'

07:37, 13 Dec

byTobia Elia

Lando Norris let his guard down a little more than usual at the FIA Gala, where he was officially crowned world champion for the 2025 season.

“We had our fair share of mistakes and fu*k-ups. Can I say that here? I’m okay? Oh, sorry. I got fined. I can pay it off now”

- Lando Norris

The newly crowned world champion received the trophy he had dreamed of since childhood just yesterday in Uzbekistan, after beating Max Verstappen and his team-mate in a three-way title showdown in Abu Dhabi last week.

“This is a lot of people’s dream, a lot of racing drivers’ dream - the Brit said during the FIA gala - I got to finally live it — live that one dream I had when I was a little kid. I remember standing on the stage many, many years ago — 2014 I think it was — standing there with Jackie, even before that.

“It’s been amazing to grow up here alongside so many of you, growing up with McLaren, getting to race all the world champions I’ve been up against — Lewis, Max, Seb, Fernando — all the incredible drivers I looked up to and watched when I was a little kid. To get that chance to race against them, try to beat them, to show what I can do against them all — and we’ve managed to do that this year.

Photo: Race Pictures

“I’m very proud, very happy, of course. I got very emotional on Sunday after the race, got extremely drunk, and had an amazing time.”

Norris finally loosened up even more towards the end, even letting a swear word slip — something he quickly joked about by recalling when Verstappen did the same, only to end up serving community service during last year’s FIA Gala in Kigali.

Looking back at the best and worst moments of the season, the Brit said: “We had our fair share of mistakes and fu*k-ups. Can I say that here? I’m okay? Oh, sorry. I got fined. I can pay it off now. We still made a fair share of mistakes and tough moments along the way, but all worth it. All part of the story.”

Verstappen beats Norris to FIA award after missing out on drivers’ title

The four-time world champion did not attend the ceremony in Uzbekistan and, after dominating the past four seasons, had to settle for a silver medal this year.

The Dutchman was at least able to take some consolation by winning the F1 Action of the Year award for the best overtake of the season.

Here is the overtake that earned him the prize — and the Grand Prix where it happened.

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